HochTief claims that the steel construction designed by Herzon & de Meuron will not be able to support the project’s massive 3,800 tonne roof, which has recently been added to the crest of the building. But according to Arch Daily, an independent expert has verified the structural integrity of the architect’s design, which means that construction should continue apace. Nothing has happened since November 2011.

The Elbphilharmonie concert hall was originally approved by the Hamburg city parliaments with a total cost estimate of €241.3 million, of which €114.3 million is to be undertaken by the public sector. Since then, the public sector share has grown to €323 million along with the constant delay of the opening date. This is a lot for taxpayers to swallow for a building that won’t be complete for at least another two years. Hamburg is planning to submit three law suits to Adamanta – HochTief’s parent company.